Read Online Crossways by Jacey Bedford - Free Book Online Page B

Ronan, rarely demonstrative in public, hugged Jon fiercely.
    Gupta sighed. “Off you go, Moon. There’s only Wenna to wait for now and I can handle that alone.”
    â€œAny trouble?” Ben asked as Ronan and Jon hurried off to the cabin they shared.
    Gupta shook his head. “Quiet as the grave. No one else had any problems. Looks like you were the only targets—today at least. Kitty looks to have hooked up with one of the gate guards, but she’s back safe. Everyone is.”
    â€œGood.”
    â€œYou look tired, Boss.”
    â€œWhy is everyone telling me that?”
    â€œBecause it’s true.” Cara nudged him in the direction of the captain’s cabin. “Shall I go and bunk down somewhere else?”
    It was a simple enough question, but loaded.
    Ben shook his head. If he pushed her away now she’d never come back. They’d be over.
    She seemed relieved. “Come on, then,” she said.
    Was that an invitation?
    *Only to sleep.*
She picked up his thought and responded.
    Gah! He must be tired if he’d let his shield down.
    He followed Cara to the cabin they’d been sharing during the journey—well, not exactly sharing, as she’d managed to take her sleep breaks when he was on duty. This was the first time they’d hit the bed together since . . . when? Since before van Blaiden.
    She was bound to be twitchy. More than twitchy. He’d tried to talk to her about it, but she wasn’t ready to open up. He’d waited for some signal from her, let her make the first move, but though she’d touched him in public—a hand on his shoulder, a casual brushing together of elbows, the light slide of her fingers across his, briefly igniting fire in his belly—she’d been much more circumspect in private. It would take as long as it took, he understood that. They were working their way through everything that had happened, but she was still fragile—even more fragile after today—but he didn’t know how he could help her to get over it, if indeed it was his help she needed.
    â€œI still feel like an intruder in here,” Cara said, dropping down to sit on the wide berth. “Ari obviously had this built for himself. He never liked sleeping alone.”
    â€œIt’s a bit excessive.” Cara’s former lover was always excessive. Ben was glad she’d never shared this particular cabin with van Blaiden. “Just say the word and we can tear it apart and rebuild it. Or we can let Ronan and Jon have the space and move to another cabin, or separate ones if you prefer.”
    â€œIs that what you’d prefer?”
    â€œYou know it’s not.”
    â€œYou’re going after Crowder again.” It wasn’t a question.
    â€œAs soon as we’ve settled things here. He’s the obvious starting point.”
    â€œHe tried to kill us all.” Cara shuddered.
    â€œThat’s why he’s the obvious starting point.”
    â€œYou think you can dodge the Monitors and get in and out of Chenon without anyone noticing? Even if you can, Crowder must be eyeball deep in his own security by now. He knows you. He’ll be expecting you.”
    â€œI’m working on it.”
    â€œYou’re not planning anything . . . terminal . . . are you?”
    Ben opened the door to the fresher and activated the shower.
    â€œBen? Answer me.”
    He ignored Cara’s question and jerked his head toward the shower. “Want to share?” He released the touch-and-close fastenings that held the top half of his buddysuit to the bottom, unclipped the shoulder catch and shrugged out of it, feeling the suit’s sensors peel back from his skin.
    â€œDo you want me to?” she asked.
    He turned to look at her, saw her face suddenly serious, and stopped undressing.
    â€œI appreciate all you’ve done for me, Ben, but . . .”
    Snakes began to turn